IES20030470A2

IES20030470A2 - A rest for a snooker cue

Info

Publication number: IES20030470A2
Application number: IE20030470A
Authority: IE
Inventors: Michael Roy Barry
Original assignee: Michael Roy Barry
Priority date: 2003-06-25
Filing date: 2003-06-25
Publication date: 2004-12-01
Also published as: WO2004112920A3; US20040266541A1; US7063621B2; WO2004112920A2

Abstract

According to the invention there is provided a rest for a cue, the cue rest comprising an elongated shaft defining a central longitudinally extending shaft axis, a table engaging means, and an intermediate connecting means connecting the table engaging means with the shaft, the intermediate connecting means being shaped for avoiding an obstruction on the table adjacent a location where the table engaging means is to engage the table. <Figure 1>

Description

“A rest for a snooker cue’ The present invention relates to a rest for a cue, for example, a snooker cue, a billiard cue or the like.

Rests for snooker and billiard cues are used in the game of snooker or billiards when the alignment of the cue ball with the ball to be next struck by the cue ball is in a position on the table which does not easily lend itself to cradling the cue on the hand of the player, in general, such cue rests comprise an elongated shaft which terminates in a table engaging member which is rested on the table, and a cue engaging member, typically extending upwardly from the table engaging member for cradling the cue. However, regularly the cue ball is obstructed by other balls which are in play on the table, and in such cases, the cue rest must be rested on the table with the table engaging member engaging the table some distance from the cue ball, or alternatively with the shaft of the cue rest extending from the surface of the table at a relatively large angle. This is disadvantageous, since the greater the angle the cue rest makes with the table, or the further the table engaging member, and in turn, the cue rest is displaced from the cue ball, the more difficult it is for a player to tightly control the striking action ofthe cue on the cue ball.

There is therefore a need for a cue rest which overcomes this problem.

The present invention is directed towards providing such a cue rest.

IE 03047 0 According to the invention there is provided a rest for a cue, the cue rest comprising an elongated shaft defining a central longitudinally extending shaft axis, a table engaging means, and an intermediate connecting means connecting the table engaging means with the shaft, the intermediate connecting means being shaped for avoiding an obstruction on the table adjacent a location where the table engaging means is to engage the table.

In one embodiment of the invention the intermediate connecting means extends between two spaced apart ends, one end being connected to the shaft, and the io other end being connected to the table engaging means.

In another embodiment of the invention the two ends of the intermediate connecting means are aligned with each other and with the shaft axis.

In another embodiment of the invention the intermediate connecting means comprises an elongated intermediate connecting member extending between the shaft and the table engaging means.

In one embodiment of the invention the intermediate connecting member is of arcuate shape.

In a further embodiment of the invention a cue engaging means for cradling the cue extends from the table engaging means.

BE Ο3 Ο47 Ο Preferably, the table engaging means is adjustably mounted to the intermediate connecting means, and preferably, is pivotally connected to the intermediate connecting means, and ideally is pivoted about the shaft axis.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof, which is given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a cue rest according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a plan view of a portion of the cue rest of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the cue rest of Fig. 1 in use, Fig. 4 is another perspective view of a portion of the cue rest of Fig. 1 in use, Fig. 5 is an end elevational view of a portion of the cue rest of Fig. 1 in use, Fig. 6 is another end elevational view of the cue rest of Fig. 1 in use, and Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a detail of the cue rest of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated a cue rest according to the invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1, for cradling a cue in a game of β030470 snooker, billiards, or indeed pool, or such other games in which a cue ball is struck by a cue. The cue rest 1 comprises an elongated shaft 2, typically of wood, but may be of any other suitable material, for example, plastics material or the like. The shaft 2 defines a longitudinally extending central axis 4, and a table engaging means, namely, a pair of table engaging members 5 is coupled to the shaft 2 by an intermediate connecting means, in this embodiment of the invention an intermediate connecting member 7 of arcuate shape. The intermediate connecting member 7 is of brass, and at one end 3 extends into an axial bore 8 in the shaft 2, and is secured therein. The table engaging members 5 are also of brass, and a threaded spigot 9 extending from the table engaging members 5 pivotally engages the intermediate connecting member 7 at the other end 6 thereof, for facilitating pivoting of the table engaging members 5 relative to the intermediate connecting member 7. A wing nut 10 secures the table engaging members 5 to the intermediate connecting member 7 at a desired relative orientation. A cue engaging means, namely, a pair of cue engaging members 11 is integrally formed also of brass with the table engaging members 5 in the form of a cruciform unit. In this embodiment of the invention the interconnecting member 7 is secured to the shaft 2 so that the respective ends 3 and 6 are in alignment with the shaft axis 4, and in particular, the threaded spigot 9 about which the table engaging members 5 and the cue engaging members 11 are pivotally connected to the intermediate connecting member 7 is axially aligned with the shaft axis 4, so that the table engaging members 5 and the cue engaging members 11 are pivotal about the shaft axis 2.

The intermediate connecting member 7 is of arcuate shape so that the cue rest 1 «030470 may be rested on the table with the table engaging members 5 adjacent the cue ball irrespective of whether the cue ball is obstructed by other balls in play on the table. For example, if one or more balls in play are located adjacent the cue ball to the rear thereof, when one considers the line of sight of the cue ball with the next ball on the table to be played, the table engaging members 5 can be rested on the table immediately behind the cue ball, and the arcuate shape of the intermediate connecting member 7 avoids the ball or balls to the rear of the cue ball. Accordingly, in this way, the cue rest can be rested on the table with the table engaging members 5 adjacent the cue ball, and with the shaft 2 extending substantially parallel to the table without interfering with any of the balls in play, see Figs. 2, 4, 5 and 7. Alternatively, the cue rest 1 may be rested on the table with the table engaging members 5 adjacent the cue ball, but with the intermediate connecting member 7 angled relative to the table surface about the shaft axis as illustrated in Fig. 6, so that the connecting member 7 clears the top of an obstructing ball or balls as illustrated in Fig. 6. To use the cue rest 1 with the intermediate connecting member 7 angled as illustrated in Fig. 6, the wing nut 10 is slackened and the spigot 9 is rotated in the intermediate connecting member 7 until the table engaging members 5 and the intermediate connecting member 7 are oriented relative to each other, so that when the table engaging members 5 are rested on the table, the intermediate connecting member 7 is angled about the shaft axis 4 relative to the table surface at the desired angle. When the table engaging members 5 and the intermediate connecting member 7 are oriented relative to each other at the desired angle, the wing nut 10 is tightened, thus securing the table engaging members 5 at the desired orientation relative to the intermediate connecting member 7. Β0J047Ο Use of the cue rest 1 thereafter is similar to a conventional cue rest, with the exception that the cue rest 1 can be located with the table engaging members 5 and the cue engaging members 11 located behind and adjacent the cue ball with the intermediate connecting member clearing any obstructing balls in play which are behind the cue ball.

While the intermediate connecting member 7 has been described as being of arcuate shape, the intermediate connecting member may be of any suitable shape, provided it is shaped to avoid obstructions adjacent the cue ball. For example, in certain cases, it is envisaged that the intermediate connecting member 7 may be formed by a pair of spaced apart transverse cross-members extending transversely of the shaft axis, one of which would extend from the shaft, and the other from the table engaging member, and the respective transverse cross-members would be joined by a longitudinally extending member which would extend parallel to the shaft axis but spaced apart therefrom.

While the table and cue engaging members and the intermediate connecting member have been described as being of brass material, they may be of any other suitable material, for example, plastics material or the like.

While the table engaging member and the cue engaging members have been described as being secured to the intermediate connecting member by a threaded spigot extending from the table engaging member and a wing nut, it is envisaged ¢ 030470 Ί that any other suitable securing means may be provided. For example, it is envisaged that a friction connection may be provided between the table engaging member and the intermediate connecting member for facilitating selective orientation of the table engaging member relative to the intermediate connecting member.

Another alternative securing means which is envisaged is a securing means which would permit incremental pivoting of the table engaging member relative to the intermediate connecting member, and the table engaging member would be releasably secured by a quick release mechanism to the intermediate connecting member in each selected incremental position. Needless to say, any other suitable securing means may be provided.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment hereinbefore described, which may be varied in construction and detail.

Claims

1. A cue rest comprising an elongated shaft defining a central longitudinally extending shaft axis, a table engaging means, and an intermediate connecting means connecting the table engaging means with the shaft, the intermediate connecting means being shaped for avoiding an obstruction on the table adjacent a location where the table engaging means is to engage the table.

2. A cue rest as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the intermediate connecting means comprises two ends and the two ends are aligned with each other and with the shaft axis.

3. A cue rest as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the intermediate connecting means comprises an elongated intermediate connecting member extending between the shaft and the table engaging means, the intermediate connecting member optionally being of arcuate shape or optionally comprising a pair of spaced apart transverse cross members extending transversely of the shaft axis, one of which extends from the shaft and the other from the table engaging member, and the respective transverse cross members are joined by a longitudinally extending member extending parallel to the shaft axis but spaced apart therefrom.

4. A cue rest as claimed in any preceding claim wherein a friction connection is provided between the table engaging member and the intermediate connecting member for facilitating selective orientation of the table engaging member and/or a securing means is provided which permits incremental pivoting of the table engaging member relative IE 03 Ο 4 7 Ο to the intermediate connecting member, and the table engaging member is releasably secured by a quick release mechanism to the intermediate connecting member in each selected incremental position.

5. A cue rest substantially as described herein with reference to the any of figures 1-8